Wheel construction



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G. Af LYON WHEEL CONSTRUCTION OriginalA Filed July 16, 1936 k uw. 12; 1939.

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UNITED STATES vPATElNrT-l OFFICE 21,296 I WHEEL CONSTRUCTION George Albert Lyon, Allenhurst, N. .'.l

` Original No. 2,135,758, dated November 8, 1938,

Serial No. 90,903, July 16, 1936. for reissue January 21, 1939, Serial No. 252,237

-12 Claims.

This invention relates tov improvements in in wheel and wheel disk constructions and more particularly to a wheel assembly of the type having an annular series of air circulation apertures.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new and novel form of wheel assembly which is economical to manufacture and rugged and reliable in use.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a novel form of ornamental wheel disk which is adapted to be disposed over the Outer surface of the body part of a wheel.

It is also an Object of this invention to provide an improved and novel means for securing an ornamental member or wheel disk to a wheel.

f One form of vehicle wheel which is being manufactured at the present time includes a body part rim flange which is depressed radially inwardly at a plurality of points to form a series of air circulation passageways through thewheel. It is an object of this invention to provide a novel Ornamental member which lies in intimate contact with the outer surface of the wheel body part and a substantial part of the depressed portion of the body part rim flange, and which is secured in place by a plurality of integral tangs which make a biting engagement with the base ange of the rim within the aforesaid airpas- I.'

SageWByS.

The novel features which I believe to be charf acteristic of my invention arev set forth with particularlty in the appended claims. My invention, however, together with further objects and advantages thereof. may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is an elevational view partly in cross section of one embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the vehicle wheel illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the structure in the upper right hand part of Figure 1, taken along the line IlI--III of Figure 4; I

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view partly in cross section;

view taken along the line VII-VII of/Figure 4. n

Application Referringnow to Figure 1, 'the wheel assembly illustrated therein comprises, in general, a rim I, a wheel body part 2, an Ornamental member 3, and an Ornamental hub cap I. Rim I is illustrated as being of the usual drop center rim type 5 and includes a base ilange 5, oppositeside flanges 6, Opposite intermediate flanges l, and opposite edge portions 8. It will of course be understood that the wheel in its operative form includes a pneumatic tire (not shown for purposes of clarl0 ity) which is mounted on rim I in the usual manner. Body part 2 has at its outer periphery an axial inwardly extending flange 9 which is adapted to be secured to base flange 5 of rim I in any suitable manner, such as by rivets (not l5 shown). Body part 2 turns abruptly axially inwardly near the center of the Wheel to form a shoulder I0 and then abruptly radially inwardly to form a circular holding flange I.I. Circular holding flange II is provided with an annular 20 series of apertures l`I2 through which a corresponding number Oi bolts I3 are adapted to be inserted to secure body part 2 to a vehicle axle part I4, the latter being attached in the usual manner to a vehicle brake drum I 5.

Secured to flange I I are five hub cap retaining spring elements I6. Each spring element includes an outwardly extending leg which terminates in a hook-like end Il, which is resilient, and which is adapted to have the hub cap 4 snapped into engagement therewith for securing the hub cap in place. In'order to avoid unnecessary complication of the drawings only one spring element I6 has been illustrated, but it is to be understood that a number of such spring elements are secured to holding flange II, preferably at least five or six. l

Hub cap 4 comprises a hollow shell including an inwardly turned skirt IB, shaped to engage against 'the shoulder Ill of wheel body pari'- 2. Skirt i8 terminates in a turned edge I9 over which the hook-like ends I1 of the spring clements are adapted to slide as the hub cap is forced axially into retaining engagement withA the springlelements.

Upon close inspection of the various figures of the drawings, it will be observed that axial ange 9 of wheel body part 2 is depressed radially inwardly at a plurality of points 2l). The depressed portions!!! of flange 9 in conjunction with base flange 5 of rim I form a series of air circulation passageways 2| through the wheel. It is to be notedthat the depressed portions 2D 'are continuous with the main portion of flange 9 and are not broken away from the latter tol form a plurality of inwardly extending teeth. Thus each air circulation passageway 2i is open only at its axial ends 22 and 23 respectively.

Referring again to Figures 4 and 5 it will be seen that ornamental member I is formed to lie in intimate contact with the outer surface of thewheel body part 2 and a substantial part of the depressed portions 20 of ilange 9. Inner marginal edge 2l of ornamental member 3 extends partly over shoulder I0 of body part 2, and is adapted. to lie between shoulder I0 and hub cap l. Thus when hub cap 4 is snapped into locking engagement with spring elements I6 the inner marginal edge 24 of ornamental member 3 is held ilrmly against 'shoulder Ill of body part 2.

As may be seen best in Figure 5 of the drawings the outer marginal edge 25 of ornamental member I follows the varying conguration of the wheel body part 2 in proximity to the latters junction point with rim I. Thus ornamental member 3 not only lies in intimate contact with the outer surface of Iwheel body part 2 as at 2l but it also lies in intimate contact with a substantial portion of the depressed portions 2l of flange 9 as at 29.

'I'he outer marginal edge 25 of ornamental member 3 is rmly secured to the wheel assembly by providing a plurality of integral tangs 2l at the outer peripheral edge of ornamental member 3 which extend. radially and axially outwardly into biting engagement with base iiange 5 of rim I. Any tendency for ornamental member I to be dislodged from the wheel assembly, only causes the tangs 26 to bite deeper into base flange 5 and thus form a still firmer locking engagement with base flange 5.

One or more tangs 26 may be provided for each depressed portion 2U, but preferably two are provided, one adjacenteach side wall of the passageway 2l. 'Ihe width of each tang 2 should be relatively small compared to the circumferential dimension of passageway 2| in order that the tangs `will not` interfere with the free circulation of air through the passageways 2l. This is an important commercial design feature since it is necessary to maintain the brake drum I 5 relatively cool'to prevent burning out the brake lining (not shown) and other harmful results. It will be noted from the above'description that that portion of air 'passageway 2l which is ordinarily visible to the eye is entirely covered by ornamental member 3.' 'I'his greatly enhances the general appearance of the vehicle wheel without interfering with structural detailswhich are inherent in sound engineering practice. It will also be observed that the ornamental member described is extremely economical to manufacture and may readily and quickly be gssembled on a vehicle wheel of the type described.

While I have shown a particular embodiment of my invention, it will of course be understood that I do not wish to -be limited thereto Since many modifications may be made, and I therefore contemplate by the appended claims to cover all such modifications as fall within the true spiri and 'scope of my invention.

y I claim as my invention:

1. In a-wheel assembly, the'combination coml prising a drop `center rim having a base flange.

a wheel body part having an axial inwardly extending flange secured 'at a plurality of circum- Aferentially spaced points to said base flange, said axial flange bing depressed radially inwardly between said spaced points to define a series f chambers which are open at their axial en ds only,

a wheel body part having an axial inwardly' 'examas integral with the outer marginal edge of said 5'- member which extend into biting engagement with a wall of said chambers.

2. In a wheel assembly, the combination comprising a drop center rim having a base flange, a wheel body part having an axial inwardly extend- 1 ing flange secured at a plurality of circumferentially spaced points to said base flange, said axial ilange being depressed radially inwardly between said spaced points to denne a series of chambers which are 'open at their axial ends only, an orna- 1 mental member disposed in intimate contact over the outer surface of said body part and over a substantial portion of the depressed portions of said axial flange, and a plurality of integral tangs on said member disposed within said chambers, said tangs extending radially and axially outwardly into biting engagement with the base flange of said rim, the width of said tangs being relatively small compared to the circumferentia dimension of said depressed. portions. l 2

3. In a wheel assembly, the combination com- ,prising a drop center rim having a base'fiange,

a wheel body part having an axial inwardly extending flange secured at a plurality of circumierentially spaced points to said base flange, said 3 axial flange being depressed radially inwardly between said spaced points to deilne a series of chambers which are open at their axial ends only, an ornamental member disposed in intimate contact over the outer surface of said body' part 3 and over a substantial portion of the depressed portions of said axial flange, and a plurality of tangs integral with the outermarginal edge of said member and disposed in` proximity to the inner peripheral edge of said axialy ilange, said tangs extending into biting engagement with a wall of said chambers.

4. In a wheel assembly, the combination comprising a drop center rim having a base flange,

tending ilange secured at a plurality of circumferentially spaced points to said base flange, said axial ilange being depressed radially inwardly between said spaced points to define a series of y gral tangson said member disposed within said 5 chambers and in proximity to the inner peripheral edge of said axial flange, said tangs extending radially and axially outwardly into biting en- A gagement with the base flange of said rim.

5. In aV wheel assembly, the combination comprising a drop center rim having a base flange,a wheel body part having an axial inwardly extendingange secured at a plurality of circumferentially spaced points to said base flange, said axial flange being depressed radially inwardly between said spaced points to dene a series of chambers which are open attheir axial ends only, an ornamental member disposed in intimate contact over the outer surface of said body part and over a substantial portion of the depressed portions of said axial ange, vand a plurality of integral tangs on said member disposed in proximity to the inner peripheral edge of said. axial flange, said tangs extending radially and axially outwardly into biting engagement with the base ilange of surface of said body part, said member being provided with a plurality of integralv tangs which extend into said opening and makeV a biting engagement with said base flange of said rim.

'1. In a wheel assembly, the combination comprising a wheel body part including an axial inwardly extending iiange, a drop center rim se' cured to said axial flange, said axial flange being bent radially inwardly at a plurality of points to form a series of air circulation passageways through said wheel assembly, and an ornamental member disposed over the outer surface of said body part, said member having a plurality of integral tangs which extend radially and axially outwardly to make a biting engagement with said base flange of said rim.

8. In a wheel assembly, the combination comprising a body part including an axial inwardly extending flange, a drop center rim secured to said axial flange, said axial flange being bent radially inwardly at a plurality of points to form a series of air circulation passageways through said wheel assembly, and an ornamental member disposed in intimate contact over the outer surface of said body part and a substantial part of the bent portions of said axial flange, said member having a plurality of integral 'tangs at its outer marginal edge which are bent radially and axially outwardly into biting engagement with the base flange of said rim. 1

9. In a wheel construction including rim and body members, an ornamental trim member for one of said members having a marginal portion an outer extremity pressed into resilientretainprovided with spring means for retaining saidsaid rim and body members having a recess adjacent their junction defined on its radially inner side by an inclined surface facing radially outward and said surface being engaged by said spring means, whereby said spring means directly bears and exerts a radial pressure against said inclined surface to retain said trim member on the wheel..

10. In a wheel construction including rim and body members, an ornamental trim ring for one of said members having a marginalportion provided with spring meansfor retaining said trim ring on the wheel, saidl spring means bearing against one of said members and having an outer extremity pressed into engagement with the other of said members, said spring means extending outwardly in a generally radial direction and reo siliently engaging said rim to retain the ring on the wheel.

11. In a wheel construction including rim and body members, an ornamental trim ring for one of said members having a marginal vportion provided with spring means for retaining said trim ring on the wheel, said spring means bearing against'one of said members and having an outer extremity pressed into engagement with the other of said members, said spring means comprising a plurality of radially outwardly extending resilient ring retaining fingers.

12. Ina wheel construction including rim and.

body members, an ornamental trim ring for one of said members having a marginal portion provided with spring means for retaining said trim ring on the wheel, said spring means bearing against one of said members and having an outer extremity pressed into engagement with the other of said members, said spring means comprising a plurality of radially outwardly extending resilient ring retaining fingers, and which ngers are disposed in an inclined plane relative to the wheel member engaged thereby whereby they will resist with a progressively increasing binding action any tendency to dislodge the ringfrom the wheel.

GEORGE ALBERT LYON. 

